Three years and much hand-stitching later the quilt is finished (my MIL has also worked on several other hand pieced and applique quilts during this time).

All of the diamonds have been traced onto fabric using a single plastic template, positioning the template so as to fussy cut the desired fabric portion. Fabric has been been cut by hand, a seam allowance marked with pencil and hand stitched with tiny and consistent stitches. Truly inspiring.

Some of the fabrics used may look familiar as my MIL has free reign over my scrap bin and stash. Other fabrics are from my MIL's fabric stash and swapped with sewing group friends. The red/white polka dot backing fabric and red/white bias binding are a perfect finish touch to this colorful quilt.

252 Hexagon Star Blocks

3000+ diamonds

My MIL's work is inspirational, and one day I hope to have the patience to piece with such precision. Perhaps I'll start small, and an English Paper Piecing (stabilizing the fabric shapes with pre-cut paper templates) project may well be in my future.

With thanks to my MIL for allowing me to photograph and share this amazing quilt.

Enjoy the picture overload,

Rita

EDITED TO ADD:
My MIL did not use a pattern to make this quilt, instead all that was used was this 60 degree plastic template. The plastic template is placed on the fabric and a line traced around the template with pencil. The fabric is then cut out with a small pair of scissors. A 1/4 inch seam is marked on the fabric again using a pencil in preparation for hand stitching.

This is one of the most beautiful quilts I've ever seen. I could stare at it for hours just looking at all the combos and fussy cutting. I would be tempted to enter this into a quilt show...but slightly scared it would be stolen! Tell your mother-in-law WELL DONE!

Phenomenal--just stunning! A beautiful quilt! Lucky you to have such a talented MIL, and lucky her to have such a talented DIL! (and both stashes!) BTW, I finally decided on a sewing machine--appreciated your help and info on the 820--have decided to order a 780 Bernina, but now have to wait for it! :) Thanks for all the quilting inspiration today! And Happy Valentine's Day!

A humble bow to your MIL!!! What incredible, inspirational work! A great reminder that hand piecing can be done, and beautifully. Thank you both for sharing this incredible work. Now excuse me while I go off to hand piece the one little block I have cut out from the Patchwork 163 book. Hey, it's a start, right? Happy sewing to you both!

This is amazing! I am working on an EPP quilt myself for about a year and I have only one block done. LOL But I havne't been very dedicated to it and went into the project knowing it might take me 10 years to finish. But hopefully this year I will be more consistent at working on it when I am not at my machine. Thank you to your MIL for the inspiration

Wow, it's beautiful! I love the colours and the star-shapes. I'm making a quilt with normal hexagons, also by hand. The quilt of your morther in law is very very inspiring. I really want to give it a try someday.

Ohhh, just love this quilt. Thank you for keeping us updated on it. I think your mother-in-law is amazing (may I swap?!) I started one like this maybe 2 or is it 3 years ago, having seen this one here. I just take it on my annual holiday and still have fewer than 20 blocks. I do so admire the skill that has gone into this!Hen x

Rita, I have admired this quilt every time you've shown it - simply beautiful. This is the sort of quilt that becomes a family heirloom. Your MIL must be a very patient woman but that work is worth it for such a gorgeous quilt.

I am awe-struck! What an amazing quilt!! Congratulations to your MIL for creating such a masterpiece. And so kind of you to share your stash!! Thanks so much for sharing - I hope she enjoys reading all the favorable comments,

Absolutely amazing, inspiring & beautiful work. I love the fabrics individually & how they all work together. Am now imagining how my own stash would look in this lovely quilt. Can't wait to get started.

Oh thank you for sharing! What a wonder. I know stars cover the quilt, but to me, they look like snowflakes seen through....the northern lights, or through a rainbow. It seems that the fabric with the little girls and mermaids was destined to be cut and placed in a circle. Wondrous to behold. I will be looking with kaleidoscope eyes at fabric for a few days I'm sure.

Absolutely gorgeous! I particularly like the clever use of fussy cutting and the combination of bright, modern colours with such a traditional technique.Your mother-in-law should be very proud of her handiwork.

This is truly inspiring. Most of my work has been hand piecing and hand quilting but I have been starting to think recently that I should keep up with the trend and do more machine work. This is persuding me to keep doing what I love! Please thank your MIL!

Oh my gosh.. this is just breathtaking! what a labour of love. You both must just smile when you look at it!I have started a mini-quilt using the same techniques but it is so time consuming. But you have given me the itch to continue!Beautiful work.

It was all worth it! I love the fussy cutting I love the fabrics is this just from scraps that she had or did she use up some of her stash! really it is amazing. and where is that pattern are we still able to access it at what mag or site she got it from this is just a fabulous challenge

Amazing! What a great way to start my morning with the pics of this beautiful quilt! I just want to sit and look at each star and all the fussy cutting! What an heirloom. Thank you for sharing this wonderful quilt!

This quilt is absolutely wonderful!!! I love the scrappy look, the back and the binding, hmmm guess I just love the whole quilt....Very special, thanks for posting the pictures and telling us about it...

That quilt is truly inspirational! I cannot imagine how much work went into making something that beautiful! You have one talented MIL! I have been stalking this blog for quite a while without making very many comments but your work is just as inspirational! I LOVE it! I have a couple of your patterns and can't wait to try them! Thank you for the continued inspiration!

This is an amazing quilt, and makes me wonder if I should approach the craft of quilting completely differently! What if instead of a million projects at once I put all of my efforts into one quilt like this instead!

far out Rita, it is just extraordinary - the precision of your MIL's fussy cutting and piecing just blows me away. There are so many details I love - the kei kerchief girls, the little birds, little dogs, deer, the precision of lines meeting up - you must just love sitting with it, poring over every star.

thank you SO much to you and your MIL for sharing the progress pics with us, and now the pics of the finished quilt. I absolutely love it. Cat x

Oh! It is truly lovely. I am in the middle of a hand pieced Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt top. I never thought I would have the patience for it, but I'm finding it very relaxing. And I'm making much better progress than I thought I would - I've really only been working on it since the New Year, and so far have 7 of 10 rows done (although I had the ladies in several Flickr bees help with the flowers!)

Congratulations to your MIL. She is an inspiration, and gives me hope that maybe I can actually finish this thing. Viva the hand-pieced quilt!

Absolutely amazing. I've been staring and staring at this quilt for the past two days. Getting more and more inspired every time.The color choises are perfect. They work for one block, as well for the entire quilt. Am very jealous at the ability of your MIL to make such perfect color combinations.

I know I'm not the first one to ask, but I would love, love, love to know the sizes of the template she used. Or the name where I could by it.

I love this. Your mother-in-law has inspired me to start one of mine own. I hope I can hang with it as long as she did. I will be using english paper piecing. Tell your mother-in-law she has inspired me..and I'm very jealous she has your stash to raid!